Camera



June 11, 1946. s. N. WEKE AN CAMERA Original Filed July 27, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

STEPHEN N I Vs/(sMA/v.

may:

. June ll 1946.

s. N. WEKEMAN CAMERA 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 s mN T A S N NM R m Mm K T mW v A o w vPM m. J

W 5 Q wag Z g S E June 11, 1946 w N 2,402,107 7 CAMERA Original Filed July 27, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ll III III III INVENTO R.

STEPHENN VVKEM/IM W, a A RNEYS June 1945- s. N. WEKEMA 0 07 CAMERA Original Filed July 27, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

JrEPHEA/NWEKEMA/v.

AT okwzvs June 11, E946. s. N. WEKEMAN CAMERA Original Filed July 27, 1940 7 Sheefis-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JT PHENMWZ-KEMAM 'm M ATTO NEKS June 11, 1946. s. N. WEKEMAN CAMERA Original Filed July 27, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TOR. JTEPHENNI VZ-KEMA 1v.

m, 611? am A TO/FNEYS June 11, 1946.. s. N. WEKEMAN CAMERA 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed July 27, 1940 I 0%. Allll M. M T E m H w W M l. h p mam .mw

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ III! I I 27/4 ivy/Z. m

wind, a 3 K.

m mm TORNEYS Patented June 11, 1946 2,402,107 CAMERA Stephen N. Wekeman, Saddle River Township, Bergen County, N. J., assignor toSun Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Original application 347,858. Divided 1942, Serial No. 451,266

My invention relates to a camera adapted for emcient and satisfactory operation.

8 Claims. (Cl. 8824) My invention has particular reference to a compartment or housing of novel construction and arrangement which is located in the dark room at one end of a camera for the storage of a camera plate element.

My invention has further reference to a prism camera comprising longitudinal and transverse frameworks, the longitudinal framework carrying a track which supports a plate element of optical character in projection .position, means being provided for returning and holding said track in a horizontal position should it depart therefrom under the influence of the weight distribution on said frameworks.

My invention has further reference to a jack arrangement coactable with the longitudinal framework of a prism camera for causing a track supported thereby to assume and retain a horizontal position.

Variousother objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the camera, features, arrangements and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

This application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 347,858, filed July 2'7, 1940.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a camera as constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevatlonal view showing the camera control mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view showing vari-.

ous features of the dark room;

Fig. 4a is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line lat-4a of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4b is a horizontal sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line lb-lb of Fig. in looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the various controls;

my novel camera as viewed from 'dinal framework defined by the above described Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

July 27, 1940, Serial No. and this application July 17,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing a screen-locking detent;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing actuating mechanism for the screen or compensating suppor Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a safety latch arrangement; and

Fig. 10 is an elevational-view showing a detail of the camera mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the camera of my invention is shown as comprising a plurality of open frames I utilizable for supporting purposes, tlnee of these frames I being alined longitudinally at each side of the camera and said frames I being alined in pairs transversely of the camera. Suspended from the top section of each frame i i a p ing tr ct re 2 and each pair of these transversely alined spring structures 2 carries a transverse member 3. These transverse members 3 support a longitudinally extending frame formed from four tubes or rods 4 so positioned that they form upper and lower pairs, all of said tubes 4 being disposed in parallel relation and the tubes 4 of the respective upper and lower pairs being horizontally alined. These tubes 4 are maintained in fixed frame-forming relation by transversely extending truss structures 5 disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other.

In accordance with my invention, the longitutubes 4 has a transverse framework disposed at right angles with respect thereto. This transverse framework, the same as the longitudinal framework, comprises frames 1, spring structures corresponding with the aforesaid spring structures 2, transverse members corresponding with the aforesaid transverse members 3, tubes 4 and truss structures 5. Except for the fact that the transverse framework comprises but two pairs of the frames 1, the construction of both frameworks is of the same character and, therefore, the

same reference characters have been applied to corresponding parts in each instance.

In accordance with the invention and as shown in Fig. l, the transverse framework above described should be disposed exactly at right angles with respect to the longitudinal framework. Any suitable arrangement may be utilized for positively securing these frameworks in the relation just described and, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 6, a pair of the transverse structures 5 near the center of the longitudinal framework have a plate section 8 formed integrally therewith, the outer surface of this plate section 6 being dis- 3 posed in a vertical plane which is parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal framework. The transverse tubes 4, at the ends thereof toward the left, Fig, 6, carry a transverse structure which has a plate section 1 formed integrally therewith, the outer surface of this plate section I being disposed in a vertical plane which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the transverse framework. As shown in Fig. 6, the two plate sections 8 and I are positively secured together in face-to-face relation by bolts 8, or equivalent.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 6, a plurality of the transverse structures 5 toward the left, Fig, 2, are shown as having a frame 8 secured thereto by bolts 18. This frame 8 is formed from upstanding walls disposed in parallel relation, these walls being joined at the top thereof by integral cross members. As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the frame 9, at the end thereof toward the left, comprises a transverse web member ll beyond which, toward the left, extends a plate surface l2 utilizable as hereinafter described.

The above described upstanding walls of the frame 9, at their respective upper surfaces 14 and I5, form a pair of spaced tracks engaged by the respective bearing surfaces of a carriage l6 which has secured thereto by bolts or screws IT a pair of standards I! to which the lens frame I! is bolted or secured in other equivalent manner, Fig. 2. Secured to the rear surface of the frame l8, Fig. 4, are a pair of spaced, vertical track members 20, 28 in which a plate 2i isvertically slidable. Secured to the rear surface of the plate 2! are a pair of spaced, horizontal track members 22, 22 in which a plate 23 is horizontally slidable. Secured to the front surface of the plate 23, Fig. 2, and projecting forwardly through alined openings in the plate 2| and frame 18 is a lens barrel 24 forming a support for the objective lens assembly 25. As is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lens barrel 24 is adapted to detachably receive a sleeve 2la. which forms a support for a prism P or other suitable light-reflecting member, said prism or said light-reflecting member being hereinafter generically referred to as a "prism. One axis of the prism P coincides with the longitudinal axis of the objective lens assembly 25 and the other axis of said prism P extends at right angles to said longitudinal axis in the direction of the transverse framework.

Suitably secured to the aforesaid frame I9 is the front end of a bellows 26 which, at its rear end, is suitably secured to a vertical wall W, Fig. 2, the area at the left thereof constituting the dark room for the herein disclosed camera. The bellows 26 has associated therewith the usual frames 21, one or both of which, on the respective lower surfaces thereof, carry a pair of transversely spaced wheel structures 28 coactable with the tracks H and I5, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, the carriage for the prism copy board C, i. e., the copy board mounted on the transverse framework, is shown as comprising a pair of channel members 28 supported by wheels, not shown, in inverted relation on the respective uppermost tubes 4 of said transverse framework, the members 28 being connected together by a plate member 30 formed, preferably, integrally therewith. Upstanding from and suitably secured to the respective channel members 29 are the vertical standards 34 disposed in alinement transversely of the transverse framework. Supported by the standards 34 transversely of the transverse framework is a frame 35 which,

4, in the manner described in the aforesaid prior application, supports the copy board C, the latter. as shown, being disposed in a vertical plane As fully disclosed in said prior application, the copy board C is controlled for horizontal movement transversely of the transverse framework by a horizontal actuating member 49, Figs, 1 and 5, journalled in bearings upstanding from some of the transverse structures 5 of the transverse framework, the actuating member 48 being operated as hereinafter described. In order to impart pivotal movement to the copy board C, I provide a shaft 64 which extends longitudinally of the transverse framework and which is journalled in bearings formed in some of the transverse structures 5 thereof, said shaft 54 being operated as hereinafter described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a square bar 65 is shown as supported by the transverse structures 5 of the transverse framework in such manner that it is incapable of moving longitudinally of said transverse framework. This bar 65, when actuated as hereinafter described, serves to move the copy board C longitudinally of the transverse framework at slow" speed. In order to impart movement to the copy board C longitudinally of the transverse framework at fast speed, an endless sprocket chain 11 is suitably journalled and operated in the manner hereinafter described and for the purpose stated above.

- The hereinbefore described plate surface l2 has the oppositely extending platforms l2a formed integrally therewith and, in addition, said plate surface I2 has depending side sections |2b likewise formed integrally therewith, As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the side sections |2b have a horizontal supporting member 82 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, a shaft 83 is shown as journalled in the supporting member 82, the shaft 83 extending longitudinally of the longitudinal framework and terminating, in driving relation, with the hereinbefore described sprocket chain 11. When the end of the shaft 83 in the dark room is rotated by a suitable handle or lever, rotary motion is applied thereto whereby the sprocket chain 11 extending longitudinally of the transverse framework becomes effective to impart fast motion to the plate member 30 and to the copy board C supported thereby. In this manner, the length of the light path between the hereinafter described negative and the copy board C is selected as desired, approximately.

Referring to Fig. 3, the shaft 83 is shown as having secured thereto a gear wheel 84 which meshes with a gear whee1 85 secured to and rotatable with a shaft 86 mounted in bearings 81 and 88 both carried by the supporting plate 82. The bearing 88 comprises a lateral section 88a to which is bolted an. upright member 89 forming three bearings 90, 91 and another bearing, not shown. These bearings support shafts and sprocket wheels with which an endless sprocket chain 98 is coactable, the sprocket chain 98 carrying a pointer, not shown, which coacts with a scale, not shown, for indicating approximately the position to which the copy board C was moved as described above.

Referring to Fig. 3, a shaft Hll is shown as journalled in a bearing 12 carried by the plate surface l2, the shaft H, at the end thereof in the dark room, having an actuating wheel I02 secured thereto. The shaft llll extends longitudinally of the longitudinal framework and, by a gear wheel connection, not shown, is operatively connected to a shaft I01, Fig. 5, which extends longitudinally of the transverse framework and is supported by a bearing upstanding from one of the structures 5 of the transverse framework 'spaced from the longitudinal framework.

When the shaft, IOI is rotated by the operator in the dark room, similar rotative movement is applied to the shaft I01. As shown in Fig. 10, rotative movement of the shaft I01 imparts "slow movement, longitudinally of the transverse framework, to the member |08,earried by and movable with that end of the hereinbefore described bar 65 nearer the objective lens assembly 25.

As described in the aforesaid prior application, the bar 65 is non-operatively related to the copy board C while the sprocket chain 11 is actuated to impart fast" movement to said copy board C longitudinally of the transverse framework. When slow movement is to be imparted to said copy board C, suitable means, not shown but described in the aforesaid prior application, is operated to connect said bar 65 to the copy board C so as to effect the desired slow movement thereof. Further, as described in said prior application, suitable indicating mechanism, not shown, may be associated with the shaft iill in order to advise the operator concerning the position taken by the copy board C when the described slow" movement is imparted thereto.

Referring to Fig. 3, a shaft 1 i i is shown as supported in a bearing I I2 upstanding from the supporting member 82, the end of the shaft iii in the dark room carrying an actuating wheel H3. The shaft Hi extends longitudinally of the iongitudinal framework and, by a gear connection, not shown, is connected to that end of the hereinbefore described actuating member 49 which is nearer the objective lens assembly 25. when the operator in the dark room rotates the wheel i if, rotary movement is imparted to the shaft iii and, this, in turn, is transmitted to the actuating member 49. As clearly disclosed in the aforesaid prior application, rotation "of the actinating member 49 causes the copy board G to be moved horizontally in its vertical plane so as to center the copy on said copy board (3 in a desired position.

Referring to Fig. 3, a shaft iii is shown as journalled in the supporting member 82, said shaft il'f, at the end thereof in the dark room, carrying an actuating wheel H8. The shaft i if extends longitudinally of the longitudinal framework and, by a gear connection, not shown, is

connected to that end of the hereinbefore described shaft 64 which is nearer the objective lens 25. As will be understood, rotation of the shaft li'f transmits corresponding rotative movement to the shaft E i. As clearly disciosed in the aforesaid prior application, rotation of the shaft 3t serves to impart pivotal or oscillating movement to the copy board C, this being done whenever it becomes necessary to produce a parallel margin effect of the image on the negative with respect to a side of the negative or other reference fine.

As shown in Fig. l, the longitudinal framework has associated therewith a copy board Ci which is controlled, first, for fast and slow movement longitudinally of the longitudinai framework and, second, for pivotal or oscillatory movement in its plane by mechanism which is a duplicate of that hereinbefore described in connection with the copy board C with the exception, ofcourse, that the operating means for the copy board Ci extends longitudinaliy of the iongitu dinal framework without any transverse extension thereof. 1

Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, the control mechanism for the copy board Cl will not be described in detail. However, to parts of the control mechanism for said copy board Ci which are identical with the corresponding parts of the control mechanism for the copy board C, the same reference characters have been used with the subscript a added in each instance. In connection with the body board Ci, it is to be noted that there is no movement thereof in a horizontal direction transversely of the longitudinal framework. As described, the copy board C may be moved in a horizontal direction transversely of its supporting framework.

In accordance with the foregoing and by reference to Fig. 3, the shafts 83a, Mia and Illa effect, respectively, the fast motion of the copy board CI, its slow motion, and the tilting or pivotal motion thereof. It will be understood that the shafts 65a and Ella which extend longitudinally of the longitudinal framework for slow and tilting movement of the copy board Bi are supported by suitable bearings carried by some of the transverse structures 5 of the lon- -gitudinal framework. The sprocket chain Ila which is actuated to effect "fast movement of the copy board C is supported at the far end of the longitudinal framework by a suitable sprocket wheel i802 and, adjacent the dark room, by a sprocket wheel 19a carried by the shaft (38d which is operated by the shaft 8%.

AS shown on the drawings, one end of a shaft it? is indicated as journalled in a bearing breacket lit carried by and upstanding from the plate surface 12, Fig. 3, the other end of said shaft 522 being supported by a bearing bracket 6% carried by the lower surface of the carriage 1 to, Fig. 6; The last named end of the shaft 922 has secured thereto a gear H25 which meshes with and drives a gear 526 carried by the lower end of a vertical shaft l2? journalled, at its lower end, in said carriage l8 and, at its upper end, in a bearing bracket 121a carried by the lower horizontai track 22, Fig. 4. The. upper end of the shaft 52? has secured thereto a gear wheel E25 which meshes with a rack member E29 secured to the plate when the hand wheel mm, Fig. 3, i

carried by the first named end of the shaft 622 is rotated, the motion thereof is transmitted to the shaft I22 and from thence to the shaft I321. Rotation of the shaft iii causes horizontal movement, Fig. 3', of the plate and the objective ions assembly 25 carried thereb Referring to Fig. 3, one end of a shaft 5W is shown as journalled in a bearing bracket litii upsts ading from the plate surface E2, this end of said shaft E38 having an actuating wheel, two, secured thereto. The other end of the shaft i361 is supported. by a bearing bracket iti? secured to the rower surface of the carriage id and said: last named end of the shaft fail has secured thereto a. gear wheei 534 which meshes with and drives a gear wheel E secured to the fewer end of a Ver tical shaft ite journalled in said lower end in the carriage Hunts shown in Fig. c, the upper threaded'end of the shaft 538 extends through a nut member i3! secured to the plate 2!. When the wheel Etta is rotated, the movement thereof is transmitted to the shaft lot and from thence to the shaft E36, the threaded end of which cotive lens assembly 25 either upwardly or down- 25 function in connection with the copy board C.

will be described subsequently.

Referring further to Fig. 3, one end of a shaft I30 is shown as journalled in a bracket I35 upstanding from the plate surface I2, said last named end of the shaft I35 having a, hand wheel Illa secured thereto. As shown in Fig. 2, the other end of the shaft I30 is journalled in a bearing bracket I carried by the far end of the carriage 5. The shaft I30 is threaded throughout its length and coacts with threaded sections I42 of the carriage I5. When the wheel I38a is rotated, the resulting rotative movement of the shaft I38 effects movement either toward the right or the left, Fig. 2, of the carriage I5 and the thereby-carried objective lens assembly 25.

Referring further to Fig. 2, the carriage I5 is shown as carrying a bearing bracket I43 on which is journalled a horizontal shaft I44 carrying, at one end thereof, a gear wheel I45 which meshes with the aforesaid shaft I38. The shaft I44 extends horizontally through one of the standards I and, at its end, carries a hand wheel, not shown, by which movement of the carriage I in a desired direction may be effected by the operator while standing near the objective lens assembly.

As known in the art, the objective lens assembly 25 is moved longitudinally of the longitudinal framework in order to produce an image area on the negative of a desired size.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 4a, the hereinbefore described platforms I2a of the plate surface I2 have suitably secured thereto, as by the bolts I45, the respective standards I41 which are generally of channel-configuration with the channels disposed in facing relation. Suitably secured to the standards I41, as by the bolt I48, is a horizontal strap member I49. Disposed in front of the standards I41 are the respective vertical members I50 secured by bolts I5I to the respective forwardly extending sections la of the standards I41. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a top plate III is secured by bolts I53 to the upper surfaces of the standards I41 and by bolts I54 to the upper surface of the vertical members I50.

The vertical members I50, on each inner surface thereof, are provided with a plurality of sets of horizontally alined notches I55 adapted, selectively, to receive the ends of a horizontal bar I55 which, as known in the art, comprises a seat I55a in which the lower end of a negative plate N is seated, the sides of said negative N being adapted for engagement by members I51 which are slidable on the bar I55.

An upper horizontal bar I58, Fig. 4, is carried by the vertical members I50 in an adjustable manner as known in the art. This bar I58 has a horizontal surface 155a forming a seat for the upper surface of the aforesaid negative N which is detachably held in its seat by the known pivoted arrangement comprising the horizontal row of fingers I55 which are supported by said bar I50 for pivotal movement as a unit.

In lieu of the aforesaid negative plate N, it will be understood that a translucent focuslng'plate may be seated in the manner described on the seat provided for said plate N.

As shown in Figs. 4a and 8, each of the standards I41 carries a lower member I50 and an upper member IGI, these members extending longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal framework and being vertically and horizontally alined. A vertical plate member I52 is disposed immediately adjacent each vertical set of lower and upper members I50 and I5I. At each of its lower and upper ends, the plate member I52 terminates in an extension I52a, Fig. 8, having the bearing collars I53 formed integrally therewith, the lower bearing collars i53 being slidable on the lower member I50 and the upper bearing collars I53 being slidable on the upper member Iii. Each extension I52a has a horizontal rack member I54 secured thereto, each pair of the rack members I54 being disposed in vertical alinement and utilizable as hereinafter described.

Each of the plates I52, at its front surface, has secured thereto a laterally extending bar I55, the

bars I55 corresponding in height substantially.

with that of the respective plates I52. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4a, the bar I55, adjacent their lower ends, have suitably secured thereto a horizontal extending member I55 to which, forwardly thereof and spaced therefrom by blocks, a lower track I51 is fixed. The bars I55, adjacent their upper surfaces nave secured thereto an upper horizontal track member I58, utilizable as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 4a and 8, a horizontal shaft I55 is shown a journalled in the standards I41 adjacent the bottom thereof. The shaft I55 has secured thereto a pair of spaced gear wheels I10 which mesh with the respective lower rack members I54. A second horizontal shaft IIl is journalled in the standards I41 adjacent the top thereof and, in correspondence with the construc-- tion just described, the upper shaft I1! carries a pair of spaced gear wheels I12 which mesh with the respective upper rack members I54. The shafts I58 and Ill extend outwardly through that standard I41 toward the right, Fig. 4a, where they are suitably geared to a vertical shaft I13 having bearings in brackets I13a projecting from said last named standard I41. The shaft I15, at its lower end, carries a bevel gear I14 with which coacts a bevel gear I15 secured to one end of a shaft I15 supported by bearings formed in a bracket I11 supported by said last named standard I41. The end of the shaft I15 opp ite the bevel gear I15 carries an actuating handle I10 having ahub which carries a pointer I1! coactable with an inder drum I50 secured to said bracket I11.

The carriage arrangement comprising the track I51 and track I55 is well known in the art and, as hereinafter described, this carriage arrangemerit serves as a support either for a screen or a compensating glass. When the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 4a, the handle I15 may be rotated in the proper direction to effect rearward movement (toward the objective lens assembly 25) of the rack members I54. As described, the plates I52 are secured to said rack members and, therefore, partake of movement therewith. The plates I52 form the supports for the track I51 and track I50. Therefore, rotation of the handle Ill as described effects movement of said carriage arrangement and the optical element carried thereby.

Referring to Fig. 4, a frame support Ill is 9 shown as suitably secured to a floor or other supporting surface. Carried by and bolted to the frame support I8I is a box I 82 to the respective vertical side of which vertical guide members I83 are secured. Slidably carried by the guide members I83 is a screen rack I84 which comprises upper and lower horizontal sides joined by oppositely disposed vertical sides. The lower horizontal side of the rack I84 carries a pair of spaced nut members I85 with which coact, respectively, the vertical screws Hi6 journalled' in a plate I8? horizontally fixed in th box i8? adjacent the bottom thereof. The lower ends of the screws W5, respectively, carry bevel gears mil with which coact the respective bevel gears ESQ secured to a shaft lEll journalled in bearings depending from said horizontal member idi. the shaft extending through that wall of the box toward the right, Fig. 4:, and there having a hand wheel secured thereto.

Referring to and Q, the rack is shown as having secured thereto a lower horizontal member which coriprises one or more upwarclly extending In addition, the rack 88 3 has secured thereto an upper horizonmember which comprises one or more downwardly facing tracks iiii disposed vertically above the respective tracks 6%.

As shown in Fig. 4, the screen which is to be disposed within the rack it? comprises the glass sheet 8 which is carried by a metallic frame Sill: having, immediately adjacent the lower surface thereof, a pair of horizontally alined stud members 536 on which are mounted the respective wheels 59? adapted to engage one of the tracks Fig. 9. The frame iSE, immediately adjacent the upper surface thereof, carries a pair of vertically adjustable blocks I98 each having an upwardly facing groove into which extends the upper track i9 5 which is disposed vertically above said last named track H3.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 9, the screen frame l iiii, adjacent one lower corner thereof, has journalled therein a horizontal shaft member 2% carrying an operating knob 2M at one end thereof. Secured to the shaft member 200 for oscillatory movement therewith is a pawl 2M which, by a suitably anchored spring 2%, is biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 9, the upper end of the pawl 202 being adapted to engage a stop member 202a. The lower end of the pawl M2 is coactable with a pair of latching members tilt and 205 mounted in spaced predetermined relation, as hereinafter described, on the upper surface of the hereinbefore described member 992.

As shown in Figsv 4 and '7, the hereinbefore de-, scribed track 567, midway between the facing surfaces of the member I50, Fig. 4a, has secured thereto a bearing member 206 having extending therethrough a vertical passage in which a pin Ell? is sliclably mounted. At its top, the pin till is wedge-shaped as indicated at 201a so as to be readily coactable, in latching relation, with a recessformed in a member 208 carried by the screen frame l95 midway between the vertical sides thereof. A helical spring 209 is disposed around the pin and confined between the bearing member 206 and the enlarged section 207a of the pin 201 whereby the latter is biased upwardly, Fig. 7.

Referring further to Fig. 4, an arrangement is indicated at the right thereof for housings compensating glass, not shown. This housing for the compensating glass is a duplicate of that debill scribed above for housing, supporting and moving the screen S. Hence, further description of the housing for the compensating glass will be omitted and duplicate parts of the two arrangements will have the same reference characters applied thereto.

Referring to Fig. 4, a fixed standard 2I0 is shown as upstanding from and fixed to the here- .inbefore described floor or other supporting surface. Journalled in the standard 2H1 are a pair of spaced, horizontal shafts 2H and 2I2 disposed in vertical alinement. Secured to and rotatable with the shafts 2H and iii are the respective sprocket wheels 2I3 and 2M with which an endless sprocket chain N5 is coactable. In addition, the shafts 2H and 282 have the respective arms MS and fill fixed thereto and rotatable therewith. Carried by the free ends of the arms Zili and 2i? are the respective rollers Hit and adapted to engage, respectively, with the upper and lower arcuate surfaces formed. on the lower section of that truss structure 5 shown in Fig. the truss structure last named being the one shown at the extreme left, Fig. 2. The arrangement described immediately above constitutes a jack and it is operated, in the manner hereinafter described, by a handle 223 secured to and rotatable with the lower shaft ill I, Fig. 4.

As hereinbefore pointed out, spring structures 2 are incorporated in the supporting arrangements for the longitudinal and transverse frame works. During use of the camera, all of these spring structures 2 should be operative and this condition exists when the lack.- shown in Fig. 4 is in its non-operative position. In said Fig. 4, the jack is shown in operative position. To render the same non-operative, the handle 223 is rotated counter-clockwise to thereby produce similar movement of the arm 2H3 together with its roller tit-l and clockwise movement of the arm 2H together with its roller 2H9. As a result, the rollers 2th, 2W are freed from restraining efiect on the truss section 222?.

As stated above, the jack should be in its nonoperative position during normal operation of the camera. However, during a dark room' enlarging operation, the jack should be in its operative position wherein it nullifie the eilect of the spring structures 2. As a result, the vibration of the camera and the vibration of the enlarging back will be substantially the same, this condition being desired.

In addition to the foregoing, the Jack herein disclosed is of decided advantage when shifting the screen or the compensating glass either toward or from the projection position, i. e., that position in the field of the objective lens assembly 25. When the jack is non-operative, the tracks Mil and ltd (which support either the screen S or the compensating glass in the projection position), usually, will depart slightly from a horizontal position, this'depending on the distribution of weight on the two frameworks which is governed largely by the position of the copy board C. Un-

der such conditions, if the jack is placed in its operative position as shown in Fig. 4, the truss section 22? is caused to take a horizontal position and, as a result, the tracks fill and H38 likewise take a horizontal position. When said tracks I61 and I 88 are thus positioned horizontally, either the screen S or the compensating glass may be moved into operative position with respect thereto.

Assuming that the tracks I6! and I68 have been moved to horizontal position as described above, the operator, by movement of the handle I18, shifts the movable supporting structure therefor so as to bring the tracks I51 and I88 into the plane of those respective tracks I83 and I94 supporting that screen 8 which is to be moved into projecting position. Thereupon, by actuation of that hand wheel Isl at the left, Fig. 4, the rack I, by the described mechanical arrangement, is

either raised or lowered as may be required in order to bring said last named track I93 into horizontal alinement with the track I81 and, similarly, to bring the upper track I94 into horizontal alinement with the track I88. When this has been done. there is a short gap between said last named track I98 and the track I81 and a similar gap cl between the track I and the track I88. Fig. 4. At this time, the screen 8 may be moved from left to right, Fig. 4, into the projecting po sition from its supporting rack I84.

As clearly appears from Fig. 9, the latching member 204 cooperates with the pawl 202 to posi" tively retain the screens in its normal position within the rack I84. When the screen is to be moved to the projection position, the operator moves the screen and its frame I95 slightly toward the left, Fig. 9, while rotating the knob 20! and pawl 10! in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 9. By so doing, the pawl 202 is disengaged from the latching member "I whereupon the screen and its frame I" may be moved toward the right, Fig. 9, until the awl 202 engages the latching member 205. In this position, the forward edge of the screen S has nearly reached the gaps a and al. Accordingly, the operator has a last chance to ascertain ii the upper and lower guiding tracks I", I98 and I", IN are horizontally alined. If so, by an action the same as described above, the pawl 202 is disengaged from the latching member 205 and the screen 8 is then moved-into the, projection position where it becomes locked by automatic action of the pin 101 on the member I", the pawl 20! becoming disengaged from the latching member "I at this time.

After the screen has been moved into the Projection position as described above, the jack is rendered non-operative whereupon the negathe N may be seated in the manner hereinbefore and the projection operation proceeded In view of the foregoing description, it will be understood thatthe screens, by an operation the reverse of that described above, may be moved from its projecting position back into the rack Ill. It will also be understood that, by operations of the character described, a compensating glass may be removed from its supporting rack at the right of Fig. 4, moved into projection position and returned to its supporting rack when desired.

It anordinary negative is to be produced, the operator places the copy on the copy board Cl and a ground glass is seated on the bars I58 and I", Fig. 2, the prism P being removed from the lens barrel II at this time and, usually, the comm inl Blass being in the projection position. 'l'hereupon. the wheel Illa, the shaft 83a and wheel Illa are adjusted to move the objective lens assembly II and the copy board Cl longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal framework whereby the projected image takes a desired size and becomes properly focused on the ground glass. Thereafter, as required, the wheels Illa and Illa are adjusted to eflect horizontal and vertical movement of the objective le s I4- sembiy 25, the shaft Illa also being adjusted at this time to eflect oscillatory or tilting movement of the copy board CI in its plane. The adjustments last noted serve to move the projected image laterally in its image Plane as required.

When the foregoing has been completed, the ground glass is removed, a negative plate substituted therefor, the mating screen S substituted in the projection position for the aforesaid compensating glass and, after the copy has been props erly illuminated, the shutter mechanism, not shown, for the objective lens assembly 25 is operated to thereby cause the projecting light beam to pass from the copy on the copy board Ci, through said objective lens assembly 25 and thence to the negative N.

If a reversed negative is to be produced, the prism P is associated with the lens barrel It as shown in Fig. 2 and the copy is placed on the copy board C. After the ground glass has use on the bars H56, 158, Fig. 2, and the comm glass placed in projecting position, the w'n is operated to move the plate it, Fig. it, into engagement with a stop member fillet, or example. Thereafter, during the operation of x cducing the reversed negative, no horizontal movement of the objective lens assembly 215 is effected, It "will be understood that, in lieu of the stop member 20c, any other suitable arrangement, such as scale marks placed, respectively, on the upper part of the plate member 23 and the upper track member 22, may be utilized for locating the objective lens assembly 25 in a predetermined position.

After the foregoing has been completed, the wheel 8a, the shaft 83 and the wheel I03 are adjusted to move the objective lens assembly longitudinally of the longitudinal framework and thecopy board C longitudinally of the transverse framework wherebythe projected image is caused to take a desired size and to become properly focused, the wheels I and Ill, Fig. 3, being adjusted at this time to effect such vertical movethis time, if necessary, to client oscillator or tilting movement of the copy board C in its plans.

A feature of the invention relates to the movement of the copy board C horizontally in its plane under the control. of the wheel H3. This is necessary by reason of the fact that the objective lens assembly 25 and prism P, necessarily, are mbved longitudinally of the longitudinal framework during the focusing operation, and corresponding movement, necessarily, is imparted to the copy board C in order for the image to be properly placed on the negative plate in the dark room.

In lieu of a ground glass as described above, it will be understood that the various adjustments may be effected by use of dials and scales as well known in the camera art provided that data is at hand relating to a previous projecting operation of the particular copy in use.

Although the invention hereinbefore described relates principally to a prism camera, it is to be understood that there are certain features which are not to be limited to a camera of the character last stated. Thus, for example. he jack illustrated in Fig. 4, the mechanism for supporting and elevating either a screen or a compensating glass, the track-alining arrangement shown in Fig. 4, etc.. are of general application and are not tobslimitedtousewithaprism camera.

. 13 In Fig. 4, I have illustrated an arrangement wherein the screen 8 is mounted in a rack at one side of the camera and the compensating glass in a rock at the other side of the camera, It shall he understood that the invention is not to b thus limited because, if desired, a rack may be provideo, at one side only of the camera, such rack containing a screen S and its mating compensating glass. Further, it is to be understood that, if desired, the rack or racks may he supported directly on the camera frame in which case the frame supports itl would be omitted,

It shall he understood that the invention herein described is not to be limited to longitudinal and transverse frameworks of the particular character illustrated. As well, said frameworks may he of other equivalent character and they may be supported otherwise than by face from which they rise vertically.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be under-- stood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope oi the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a storage arrangement for a plate element of optical character, a rack, means for moving said rack in a vertical direction, and upper and lower horizontal tracks disposed in said rack for supporting said plate element for movement in a horizontal direction, said tracks projecting through and beyond one vertical side of said rack.

2. In a storage arrangement for a plate element of optical character, a rack, means for moving said rack in a vertical direction, uppe and lower horizontal. tracks disposed in said rack for supporting said plate element for movement in a horizontal direction, said tracks projecting through and beyond one vertical side of said rack, and means for releasaiily retaining said plate element in a pluralit of horizontal positions.

3. A camera having a framework adapted to assume a non-horizontal position, a track carried by said framework for supporting a plate element of optical character in projection Position, said track assuming a non-horizontal position in correspondence with the non-horizontal position of said framework, 8. horizontal track at one side of said projection position for supporting said plate element, means for adjusting said horizontal track in a. vertical direction, and means for temporarily holding said framework and the track carried thereby in a horizontal position.

4. The combination with a framework having a member adapted to assume a non-horizontal position, of a Jack for temporarily holding said framea floor or other surwork in a horizontal position, said Jaclr comprising arms adapted to engage the respective upper and lower surfaces of said member in clamping relation, and means for releasing said arm from said member, said means comprising sprocket wheels mounted on the respective axes of said arms, an endless sprocket chain coasting with said sprocket wheels, and a handle for actuating said sprocket chain.

5; In a storage arrangement for plate elements of optical character, a rack, a plurality of lower horizontal tracks disposed parallel with each other in said rack for supporting the respective plate elements, a framework, a. lower horizontal track carried by said framework for supporting said plate elements individually, and means for effecting relative movement between said rack: and said framework to aline said last named track with either of said first named tracks.

6'. In a storage arrangement for plate elements of optical character, a rack, a plurality of lower horizontal tracks disposed parallel with each other in said rack for supporting the respective plate elements, a framework, a lower horizontal track carried by said framework for supporting said plate element individually, and means for moving said framework to .difierent positions to aline said last named track with either of said first named tracks.

7. In a. storage arrangement for plate elements of optical character, a rank, a plurality of lower horizontal tracks disposed parallel with each other in said rack for supporting the respective plate elements, a framework adapted to assume a. non-horizontal position, a lower horizontal track carried by said framework for supporting said plate elements individually, means for moving said framework to different positions to shine said last named track with either of said first named tracks, and means for temporarily holding said framework and the track carried thereby in a horizontal position to aline the framework tracls with one of said other tracks whereby a plate element may be moved thereon in either of opposite directions.

8. In a storage arrangement for a plate element of optical character, a rack, upper and lower horizontal tracks disposed in said rack for supporting said plate element for movement in horizonal direction, a plurality of latching members spaced along one of said tracks, and a pawl carried by said plate element for coaction with said latching members individually, said pawl coacting with one of said latching members to releasably retain said plate element in its storage position, said pawl coacting with another of said latching members to releasably retain said plate element in a position wherein the forward edge thereof is closely adjacent the ends of said tracks.

S'I'EPHEN N. WEKEli/IAN. 

